‘It’s about the journey, more than runs and wickets’ – Moeen Ali awarded OBE

England all-rounder Moeen Ali has been awarded an OBE for services to cricket, but insists the award reflects a career that has been about more than “runs and wickets”.

Moeen was included on the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, in recognition of his 16 years in the professional game including 225 appearances for his country across all formats.

But the 34-year-old’s influence stretches far beyond the boundary rope. Since he first represented England in 2014 as a Birmingham-born athlete of Pakistani heritage, he has been a beacon for British Asian sport, an ambassador for inclusivity in a system that has been ravaged by allegations of discrimination and a proud exponent of Muslim faith.

His on-field achievements are plentiful – he has a Test hat-trick, eight international centuries and a World Cup winner’s medal among many others – but only tell part of the story.

“It’s an honour to be recognised, it’s amazing and my family are really proud and happy. More than anything, I know it makes my parents happy,” he said, acknowledging the debt of gratitude he owes to the dedication of father Munir and mother Maqsood.

“It’s not about runs and wickets. I think it’s more about the journey I’ve been through and all that kind of stuff, I guess. It’s my background, my upbringing and all that. All those kinds of things I’ve been through throughout my life.

“Even if I was to finish my career tomorrow, it’d be nice to be recognised in this sort of way, in this sort of capacity.

“With the work and the stuff I’ve done I think it is something I’ll look back on at the end of my career and think it was special, it was a great journey and really well worth it in the end.

“All the hard work you put in as a child and through your teenage years